I have booked through Amex FHR many times and it is the 1st time in Rome at Hotel de Russie where they tried to be stingy without providing upgrade benefit.

SP03 the point is that based on FHR benefits, which are clearly outlined, if the higher room category is available in the bookable inventory, it should be offered to FHR guest. It is a not a reward system as in the airlines, where hotels can decide about upgrade inventory availability and whether this is to be offered or not. I am sure there is some agreement between Amex and the hotels about this and the hotels should obey what they have signed for. If the hotel doesn't wish to offer Suites for the upgrades, they should define so with Amex and such exclusion should be provided in the FHR benefits. I found hotel to be extremely stingy providing FHR welcome letter in which it says "certain room categories are not available to upgrade" without explaining which rooms are those and without informing Amex about it in order to put such a disclosure.